Squats make the lower part of the outer thigh muscle grow more than leg extensions do, probably because squats involve more hip and knee movement together.
Scientific Claim
Back squat exercises result in greater hypertrophy of the vastus lateralis muscle at the distal site (+18.2%) compared to leg extensions (+11.2%) in untrained young women after 8 weeks of training, indicating that compound movements may preferentially stimulate distal quadriceps regions.
Original Statement
“Conversely, the SQ showed greater increases in VL at the distal site (+18.2% vs. +11.2%; p < 0.001).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
probability
Can suggest probability/likelihood
Assessment Explanation
The RCT design supports causal interpretation, but without blinding details, definitive language is premature. 'Results in' should be tempered to 'likely results in' for appropriate caution.
More Accurate Statement
“Back squat exercises likely result in greater hypertrophy of the vastus lateralis muscle at the distal site (+18.2%) compared to leg extensions (+11.2%) in untrained young women after 8 weeks of training, indicating that compound movements may preferentially stimulate distal quadriceps regions.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Comparison of Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength Adaptations Induced by Back Squat and Leg Extension Resistance Exercises.
This study found that doing squats made the lower part of the thigh muscle grow more than doing leg extensions, which supports the idea that compound moves like squats are better at building muscle in the lower part of the quads.